CCNY Study Abroad Ambassador

A program to look forward to in Winter of 2023.

Thailand
Program Dates: January 3-22, 2023
Credits: 5 ( BIO 48800 & A48800)
Program: Tropical Ecology and Conservation

The Thailand winter program will explore topics in tropical ecology and conservation. Students will learn about the functioning of a variety of tropical ecosystems including forests, streams, mangrove swamps, coral reefs, and a large subterranean cave. Challenges to biodiversity conservation in developing tropical countries will be investigated through visits to a shrimp farm and tropical tree plantations, including rubber and oil palm. CCNY faculty, David Lohman, will oversee this intensive field-based course where students live at Khao Ban Thad Wildlife Sanctuary and visit a coral reef, a rocky shore, and tropical seagrass beds. Students must be physically fit, able to swim, and willing to go on strenuous hikes in hot and humid conditions.

Cultural excursions and field visits:

• Wildlife breeding center
• Coral reef snorkeling
• Mangroves/shrimp farm
• Buddhist temple
• Bird watching
• Satun cave

For more info about this program please visit,
https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/studyabroad/thailand-study-abroad-0

CCNY Office of Study Abroad & International Programs

Dakar, Senegal
Dates: January 2-21, 2022
Credits: 4

The three-week January Term course in “International Service Learning in Senegal: Sustainable Development and the Ecovillage Movement” is offered collaboratively by The City College of New York, in partnership with REDES (Network for Ecovillage Emergence and Development in the Sahel), the University of Cheikh Anta Diop in Dakar, Sustainable Neighbors Network, and other local and international NGOs. The course engages students in understanding and enhancing concepts of sustainable development in West Africa where ancient heritage and community values are still intact to a degree rarely found elsewhere. Students live with host families. The course also will offer field trips, other excursions, drumming and dance festivities and other leisure activities.

The program starts and finishes in Dakar, the capital of Senegal, spending most of the session in the eco-commune of Bambey Serere and the other project sites near Dakar. In Bambey Serere, American and Senegalese student partners, form teams with community members working in various community projects. Over the course of the 3 weeks, students participate in several classroom sessions interspersed with participatory team-based guided practice in action-research and service learning, as each team work on their project, meeting needs expressed by the community. Senegalese students make this teamwork possible by translating between English and the local language for their American and community work partners.

Projects include conducting basic workshops with eco sentinels (volunteer youth group focused on environmental issues); green revolution projects including designing and greening the local high school and health center; learning to compost from local farmers; assist women’s association to organize an event to raise funds for a microcredit project. Students interested in health care will also have an opportunity to give service at the Health Center, supporting the nurses during weekly weighing and measuring of infants to track nutrition and overall health. The entire class will participate in a service learning project, the construction of a small community room for the Bambey Serere High School.

Students then write their Bambey project reports, create PowerPoints, and share these with faculty, student body and members of the Bambey community. Returning to Dakar students will wrap up their experience complete required evaluation and group reflection. Students will tour Dakar, do some shopping before flying back home. Grades for four credits will be based on their reports, PowerPoints and journals.

For more info about this program please visit,
https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/studyabroad/winter-program-dakar-senegal

CCNY Office of Study Abroad & International Programs

San Jose, Costa Rica
Dates: January 4 - 22, 2022
Credits: 6

Costa Rica has enjoyed more than a century of democratic tradition and more than 50 years without military force. Its military was abolished in 1948, and the money that the country saves from not having armed forces is invested in improving the quality of life of its citizens. This contributes to the stability that makes Costa Rica a welcoming place to visit. Considered one of the most bio-diverse regions in the world, Costa Rica is divided into 20 natural parks, 8 biological reserves, and a series of protected areas that captivate its visitors.

The Center for International Programs (CIP) at VERITAS offers a wide variety of programs of different lengths that can be combined and customized for different educational needs. Universidad Veritas is a fully accredited university by the Ministry of Education in Costa Rica. The program offers a total immersion concept and stresses academic excellence while enabling students to enjoy all that Costa Rica has to offer. Founded in 1975, the university was first a private school but is now an independent institution of higher education with over 1500 students.

The purpose of this program is to expose students to:

A general comprehension of the concepts and issues addressed in marine biology. An understanding of Costa Rican marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and environmental issues through fieldwork in coral reefs, sandy and muddy beaches, mangroves and estuaries. An appreciation for the importance of Integrated Coastal Management.

For more info about this program please visit,
https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/studyabroad/ccny-winter-program-san-jose

CCNY Office of Study Abroad & International Programs

Buenos Aires, Argentina
UNTREF Language, Literature, and Culture Program
Dates: January 2 - 22, 2022
Credits: 3 - 6

Buenos Aires is one of the great Latin American cities with cultural and artistic venues. Argentina is a very cosmopolitan and multicultural country. This offers students the chance to experience a rich and unique urban lifestyle. Argentina combines cosmopolitan features with uniquely local forms of sociability. Studying in Buenos Aires allows you to immerse yourself in a new culture and cuisine while enhancing your language skills. Students will be exposed to the broader regional and trans-national Latin American culture of the 21st century.

UNTREF (http://untref.edu.ar) offers a variety of courses in Spanish language and electives taught in English. Choose three to six credits from the list below:

Human Rights
Politics of Arts
Revolutionary Women in Latin America
Spanish as a Second Language

Field trips include: Tour of Buenos Aires, Espacio de la Memoria, Sede de Madres & Plaza de Mayo, Evita Museum, Fundación Jorge Luis Borges, excursion and barbeque at a traditional Argentine Gaucho ranch, and CGT - Central de Trabajadores

For more info about this program please visit,
https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/studyabroad/summer-program-buenos-aires-argentina

CCNY Office of Study Abroad & International Programs

7) Did you like your study abroad experience? (Maybe talk about the things you did, the people you met, etc)

Yes, I enjoyed my study abroad experience very much. I had a travel list so my stay in the country was eventful.

8) What advice would you give for those who will be travelling and studying abroad soon?

Have a travel buddy and a list. Study the country you're going to in advance. If the environment allows, get lost. It is part the experience

5) Can scholarships/ grants/ financial aid be used to study abroad?

Yes! That is why it is crucial to apply to all scholarships. Ask Ninive, ask your department, ask around.

6) Where is the best place to study abroad?

Anywhere is a good place to start so as long as you go somewhere. Study abroad is an opportunity of a life time as it not only allows travel opportunities but also, new perspective and experiences that would last a life time. I think it is important for everyone to take the initiate to explore and to learn as much as they can.

Q & A with Xin Ying Wu. :)
1)Where did you study abroad?

The country that I chose to study abroad is South Korea.

2) What challenges did you face? (when adjusting in a different country)

The most challenging part about studying abroad is managing personal finances.

3) Did you have to speak a different language besides English?

Yes! Although we spoke mainly spoke English among our group, when engaging with the community I utilized what I have learned in and out of the classrooms. I was semi-fluent in ordering food for my friends at the end of our trip and I am very proud about that.

4) How did you pay for studying abroad? How much money should a student save before studying abroad?

Scholarship and financial aid definitely helped paying for the credits and the air fare for study abroad. Also, I worked part-time and were able to save some money to put aside for food and leisure, mostly food. The total cost for me was around 2000-3000.

@ Seoul, Korea

Summer time in London, England.

South Korea Predeparture Orientation event. Thrilled and excited for these students, who will be going to South Korea during the summer!